The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-07-13
SIGHTS IN TURKEY.


and all of them. Youths Companion
SIGHTS IN TURKEY.
Location Of the American Mission Schoo
: for Girls at Scutari.
On one of the highest hills of Scutari
opposite Constantinople. stands thu
American Mission School for Girls.
is long distance back from the Bos
porus, and not easily reached, for the
roads are not only steep, but also re-
markedly rough and ill-kept On land.
ing from one of the ferries or a caique,
we no sooner set foot on shore than q
dozen hackmen approach calling,
"Meck teb, Neck tel" which being in.
terpreted means school" They
know where we wish to 60, as near the
school live most of the missionaries and
Americans of the village.
1t is just as we'll for four people tc
crowd into carriage meant for two only
as then no spare room is left in which to
jolt about. 1t is considered by all as
one of the toughest roads anywhere
around, and many prefer to walk over
it, especially do those of long residence
there.
To US the ride is ever full of interest.
First, the drive through the narrow
city streets, then the wider road past
that old cemetery noted for its vast
| extent.
Our last ride revealed a new and not
uninteresting feature. In an open
field we observed a man busy hanging
out clothes. evidently fresh dyed,
though no shop seemed near at hand.
Then as we came nearer we saw that
his only convenience was hollow in
the ground that he had filled with his
dyestuff How he ever produced such
variety of colors and in such excellent
condition still remains mystery. Our
thoughts were turned from him by the
sudden upheaving of our carriage as
we turned an abrupt corner and sud.
denly assembled hill.
Many, like ourselves, have probably
asked why the school was put in so in.
convenient place. The first and best
reason is that no land could be OBJ
tanned nearer the village; and, again,
the best field for labor was found
to be in this neighborhood. There
is quite a settlement here on
the hills, and the harrow streets are
once more seen, but when we enter
the Enclosure of the school we forget
that we are in Turkey. The green
garden is so refreshing after the long,
dusty ride. and The school itself, con-
slstlng OF two large buildings and sew
eral small ones. is so entirely Ameri-
can. 1t must have its influence upon
the girls who attend, many of whom
come from homes very different, no
doubt
About one hundred are taught here,
but they are chiefly Armenian, as the
Turkish girls mingle little with other
lationalities. The half-dozen Ameri-
IAN teachers, with the help of as many
latlve ones, give excellent skill in En-.
slish, acquainting the student with our
literature as well as our customs and
'eligion. They teach all the branches,
rom those of a primary to those of a
seminary, and have an influence that
will surely bring forth good fruits.
Rapk nf fho cobooI owl ,&:1J |
rom the quay, are two mountain
'eaks. called larger and smaller Toul.
najohn. The former has steep and
'arren ascent, but from the top fine
nd most extended view is to be had.
he latter is not high enough to over
ook much, but from its slope perfect !
ictures are revealed. We approach
by broad, level road leading to the
tile villages and lined with trees and
ardens. In order to ascend the hill
'e leave this road, and, giving the
orse the rein, let him carry us over a
nort rocky path that in winter is the !
eel OF a small water course. After :
aving this bower, covered over as it
with bush and vine, we canter some S
venty rods through an avenue of /
ees. +
We are then on the hillside in path q
lclrcling the mountain peak. Before h
Is a vast extent of country so rolling v
lat hill after hill rises before our eyes S
al all is lost in the great beyond; /
I'd then when we remember that this I
but the beginning of the largest con- t
nent on the globe, we are filed with S
onder. We turn to rest our ewes c
pom the Marmora, that lovely sea of I
1T blue tints that ever calls forth Ii
'mlration. Behind is the city in all its c
slant beauty. Minarets more numer- W
Is than church spires in any of our r
ties add certain grace to it all that I
scarcely equalled by the winding. II
arkllng waters of the Golden Horn
Id Bosporus. On the great sea of u
'uses extends compact mass of a
llldings. on hill tops and in valleys o
ld on all banks of the many waters. "
'uly it is "a city beautiful for situa- S
IN. "-Constantinople Cor San Fran n
SEQ Chronicle. 81
The New York San estimates the S:
esent population of New York CITY d
l,6S3, 42O. Seven years ago it was il
2o6,577, and in 1870 it was 942, 282. "
lie present estimate is based on a cam |;